Growing up I had a friend who was the queen of re-gifting. She usually passed on my gifts to her to our mutual friends when their b-days came around, but one year she re-gifted a board game I'd bought her to me on my birthday! It got to the point where she might as well have left all of her presents in their wrapping paper and change the gift card. While I certainly don't recommend this shopping technique, it does do a good job of curbing consumerism and waste. 
TeamSugar member Mazdagirluk thinks along the same lines; she recently wrote, "For my bday this year, I have asked for no "new" items. Only items friends have but don't use anymore, or just a smile. I am interested to see what people share!" There are other ways to give (and request) eco chic gifts though, without emptying out your own closet. To hear them, read more.
Consider giving a friend tickets to a concert or a baseball game, donating to charity in their name, hiring a cleaning lady or babysitter for them (or babysit yourself!), giving them a cooking lesson or a mani/pedi, or picking something at an antique store or a flea market. Or, plant a tree or flowers in their yard, which releases oxygen rather than CO2! The same goes for friends: if you're getting married soon, you can register for all of these things for your wedding, as well!
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I'm so tired of things. I re-gift things a lot but I'm always careful about it. I also buy things for myself and don't end up using it so I give it to someone else. I'd always prefer to get something to use or something someone could do for me. That would be amazing. If I get a new item I give something I don't want to someone else or to Goodwill. I might not be able to use it but someone else might be able to.